1 year on, top of the league and two points clear. In a much better place financially, on the field and getting fans through the turnstiles, Johnson is on his way to creating history, and not for the first time this season. After a whirlwind 12 months it's time to take a look back on his time in charge so far.
The beginning
On this day the club announced Johnson was taking over from club legend and caretaker manager Russell Milton, who did himself proud with the turn around in positivity and togetherness amongst the team and fans. It came as a shock to many the appointment, as it was a near on impossible challenge to retain the clubs football league status and he was thought higher of than a National League manager.
Although it was a pleasing addition amongst the fans it was something which we all knew was too late, and wanted a lot earlier on in the season, uncertainty on whether he would stay after relegation was the main cause for concern.
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| 1 year today - ctfc.com |
Relegated we were, but stay he did, and Johnson wasn't hanging around after Cheltenham's definitive league game. It was clear from the start that Gary and his brother Pete had been putting in the groundwork to start building the foundations for the new challenge. Nine days after the finale at Wimbledon, the first signing was made, instantly gaining a team captain with experienced centre-back Aaron Downes. Within two days another two were added, Spurs academy graduate Jack Munns, and vice-captain Kyle Storer.
Over the coming weeks the core of the squad quickly took shape which has massively benefited the team this season. With the quality and combination of experience and youth, the speed of turnover from old to new, this allowed Johnson to drill his philosophy in early doors. A word used from the very beginning was "character",and judging by our team compared from start of the season to now, he's got it bang on with all of his signings, from the loud and proud Pelly, to the quiet. yet clinical Danny Wright. In a previous season when we saw TWO squad photos taken, it's refreshing to see that week-in, week-out the same faces grace the team sheet, justifying the quality of transfers leading to consistent performances and results.
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| Thankfully only the one squad photo this season... - ctfc.com |
Not only has character been added to the squad, but in the man himself he is full of it. It's not a bold statement to claim that we have the best manager in the league, and many fans around the country wouldn't argue with it either. In a season where the team have so far managed 25 domestic victories, Johnson has inherited a novelty with the fans with his famous fist pump action at the end of matches. The instant chemistry between him and Milton is amazing and the ability to inherit the 'all-in-together' mentality from his predecessor has been phenomenal.
We've truly got a manager who shares the same joy and laughs at a victory, and equally the same frustration and anger after the few losses we've encountered. He's at one with the fans and it's the least the club could ask for after what we had to suffer with in the previous season.
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| 5 more fist pumps this season please gaffer? - ctfc.com |
It has to be handed to Johnson, that he has incredible man-management skills - again another thing lacking after unhappy dressing rooms in the past - admirable honesty from the end of the season he told contracted players they will need to find new clubs, and likewise was reiterated the stagnant remains in January.
With this simple process of professionalism, he's managed to free up many finances, which has been massive in a season where a handful of star players have been injured. We've had players from three leagues up join us and fit right in. Cameron Burgess has played an important role in replacing the ever present and pivotal Aaron Downes whom has been sorely missed, Rob Dickie is back after suffering an injury before an outstanding hat-trick before Christmas in the FA Trophy.
Personally I think the best business done was to pick one of the most prolific strikers in the league on a free in Dan Holman, while Amari Morgan-Smith has been sidelined due to injury. The acquisition of Holman stamped authority down on how serious Johnson is to getting the job done and not risking play offs. 12 in 11 so far and his previous manager Gary Hill claimed he'd be the difference in us going up or finishing second. A goal behind Amond, him and Danny Wright have instantly connected to be a deadly partnership up top.
Not only has the replacements been fantastic but the overall quality of our loan signings. Dillon Phillips said to be the best goalkeeper Johnson has worked with, could he go onto the heights of Jack Butland? Aforementioned Burgess is a player who has already played minutes in the Championship this season for Fulham, somebody who looks like he'd be able to easily handle that league in the future.
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| Just the four goals against former club Woking for Holman... - Glos Echo |
Future of "Johnsons Dream"
Johnson is a manager who can easily become one of the best Cheltenham has ever seen, you only need to see his previous efforts at the likes of Bristol City and Yeovil to know he's the right man for a task like this. If Town manage to bounce-back I don't see why Johnson can't take us on to better things in the League and make another push for promotion - but let's get there first! With his expertise in not only man-management but also the transfer market, there are very few (and I'd question their mentality!) who would not take the opportunity to work under his control.
In his post-match interview at Wrexham, Johnson didn't hold back in saying the fans will be the difference in the final five games, and that we can be the factor that see's the team over the line, seeing our first silverware since promotion to League One. If you can't get to the away games make sure you make the final three home games of the season. Your club needs you and there would be no greater feeling than knowing you were the difference in ensuring the club bounced back into the league first time of asking.
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| Gary and the club need you! - ctfc.com |
Thanks for reading! #ctfc
GARY JOHNSONS RED & WHITE ARMY!
